The Paris Hours by Alex George – Books for Francophiles

Book Review: The Paris Hours by Alex George

Aren’t we all longing for a little nibble of Paris? How about a bite of Paris in 1927?

I loved this book set in post war Paris. A time when the city was alive and full of artists and writers. It has a slight Midnight In Paris feel and we all know how much we love that movie! I devoured this book in two days, with most of it read on Mother’s Day

Four very different characters with very different stories make up the intense story line of this book. A housemaid, a painter, a refugee, and a journalist all take center stage in this novel set in post war Paris. The author crafts these characters with the utmost precision.

What is truly unique about this novel is that although Marcel Proust, Ernest Hemingway, Josephine Baker, and Gertrude Stein make cameo appearances in this book, They certainly do not take center stage. They are merely a whisper in the wind to the four intense characters that we meet and follow throughout this book.

Camille, housemaid of the long deceased Marcel Proust. She takes flowers to his grave every week. Her husband does not understand her obsession with her former employer five years in the grave.

Guillaume, the painter who longs for success and drinks too much. Searching for a way out of debt he strikes a deal with his friend Emile Brataill that brings him to Gertrude Stein in hopes that she will buy his paintings.

Jean Paul, a journalist who dreams of America. He spent the war interviewing American soldiers. In 1927 he interviews Josephine Baker who invites him to Le Chat Blanc to meet Ernest Hemingway.

Souren, the Armenian refugee with a tragic past. He shares a bond with Younis his only friend in Paris except for the puppets that are part of his puppet shows in the park.

I just want to give you a little taste of these characters. Trust me, you will get as wrapped up with them as I did.

Each one of the main characters have their own stories to tell. Stories wrapped up in secrets and tragic events. As the book goes on these characters cross paths until one fateful night in an ending that is unexpected and will leave you wanting to find out more.

Somehow I knew this book was going to be good when on page 7  I read one of my favorite sentences I’ve ever read in a novel “The wallpaper is staging a slow escape from the walls.” I’m not sure why, but I think this sentence is brilliant. From that moment on I knew the writing was going to be superb. Plus it is set in various areas of Paris, mainly Montmartre. So we Francophiles will love that.

Final grade for The Paris Hours by Alex George  A+

If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Comment below or send me an email.

Thanks for reading